Method and apparatus for spraying paint



10 Sheets-Sheet 1 T. INVENTORS MARVN D. MERRITT H. A. WAGNER ETAL 21 HENRY AWAONER May 18, 1965 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING PAINT Filed DeC. 30, 1960 N NIN .InvrL 1% 'un n n n llvunwlllllunlf I IIIIIJ y.. d i u .vlIIlJ .J nlll'llL fl By ROBEQT MBOKMULLER ATTORNEYS May 18, 1965 H. A. WAGNER ETAL 3,184,328

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING PAINT 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Deo. 50, 1960 INVENTORS HENRY AWAGNER, MARwN D MERRrrT' ROBERT MBOKMULLER ATTORNEYS May 18, 1965 H. A. WAGNER ETAL 3,184,328

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING PAINT l0 Sheets-Sheet lI5 Filed Dec. 30, 1960 INVENTORS HENRY A. WAGNER MARVIN D. MERRITT f BY ROBERT MBOKMULLER@ Obedin, makg Dormelhj.

FIG 3 ATTORNEYS May 18, 1965 H. A. WAGNER ETAL. 3,184,328

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING PAINT lO Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 50, 1960 FIG 5 INVENTORS HENRY A. WAGNER MARVIN D. MERRITT FIG 7 BY ROBERT M. BOKMULLER Oberlin, mak ofmelly ATTORNEYS May 18, 1965 H. A. WAGNER ETAL 3,184,328

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING PAINT Filed Dec. 30, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheae'fl 5 INVENTORS HENRY A. WAGNER By MARVIN D. MERRITT ROBERT M. BOKMULLER Obaim, muky Dormellg ATTORNEYS May 18, 1965 H. A. WAGNER ETAI.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING PAINT 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 30, 1950 FIG IO mVENroRs HENRY A. WAGNER By MARVIN D. MERRITT ROBERT M, BOKMULLER Oberlin. muky e Donnelly FIG Il ATTORNEYS May 18, 1965 H. A. WAGNER ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING PAINT l0 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 30, 1960 FIG I2 INVENTORS HENRY A. WAGNER to next manifold BY MARV|N D. MERRITT ROBERT M. BOKMULLER Oberrl, mnh) Donnelh) ATTORNEYS May 18, 1965 H. A. WAGNER ETAL 3,184,328

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING' PAINT Filed Dec. 30, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 FIG I7 IN VEN TORS HENRY A. WAGNER BY MARVIN D. NERRITT ROBERT M. BOKMULLER IRIIUI, IIIILIZL) ATTORNEYS May 18, 1965 H. A. WAGNER ETAL 3,184,328

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING PAINT Filed Deo. so, 1960 1o sheets-sheet 9 v M @@@ml @@@@@@M MII-4 FIG 2l INVENTORS HENRY A.WAGNER BY MARVIN D. MERRITT ROBERT M. BOKMULLER berlm, mkg www, ATTORNEYS FIG 2O May 18, l965 H. A. WAGNER ETAL. 3,184,328

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING PAINT Filed Deo. 30, 1960 10 Sheets-Sheet lO SCANNER S SPRAY BOOTH A SPRAY BOOTH B @'56 I@ @ms EXHAUST wORKPIECE MOVEMENTL l |55 pHoTfOI-/ fIaxI-Ixusr CELLS GUN 59 H@ 65 TO M TO SPRAY GUN spRAv GDM SOLENOID SOLENOID sup RINO SLIP RING DISTRIBUTOR DISTRIBUTOR F`|58 I SOLENOID f SOLENOID $01. AMPLIFIER gm AMPLIFIER SLOT LIGHT LIGHT LIOIIT |68. DETECTOR DETECTOR QECOQDNQ [|59 AMPLIFIER AMPLIFIER AMPLIFIER fies |67 Doom `A BOOTH D CONTROL CONTL CIRUIT CIRCUIT INVENTORS HENRY AWAGNER, MARVIN DMERRITT ROBERT M. BOKMULLER,

ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,184,328 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPRAYING PAINT o Henry A. Wagner, independence, Marvin D. Merritt, Streetsboro, and Robert M. Bokmuiler, Independence, Ohio, assignors to The E. F. Hausernian Company, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Dec. 30, 1960, Ser. No. 79,871 13 Claims. (Cl. 117-1053) The present -invention relat-es to a method and `apparatus for spraying paint and, more particularly, to an improved method .and apparatus for more effectively spray painting a workpiece while it is in motion.

Normally, in commercially spray painting a series of articles or wonkpieces, the latter are moved substantially in line past .one or more spray guns. At an `appropriate time the guns .are operated, as by `compressed air, to ,fatomize paint supplied to the guns into el'liptically shaped spnays which are directed onto the workpiece. in techniques previously employed, many problems have arisen involving non-uniform paint deposition, excessive loss of paint, and the like. If, for example, stationary spray guns are used to paint a passing workpiece, a relatively large number of such guns are necessary. Moreover, the normal spray pattern discharged `from a gun is oval shaped lwith the paint particle concentration heavier in the center than at the edges of the spray pattern. Accordingly in order to obtain 'a uniform paint deposition at the edges .of a panel workpiece, for example, the spray guns must substantially overspray the edges or periphery of the workpiece. This practice obviously leads to excessive paint losses. The spray guns must in efect spray 4an area which is greater than the size of the workpiece facing the spray guns. Gang spraying is therefore not acceptable particularly if uniform deposition is important.

In lan attempt to overcome these objections, particular-ly where three-dimensional spraying is involved, that is, spraying of the sides, flanges, etc., on a panel or partition wall, it has been suggested to reciprocate a spray gun linearly in a transverse direction across the path in which the workpiece moves. Although this results in some (advantages, such as `a need for fewer spray guns (indeed, a maximum of vabout four guns with relatively slow workpiece speed is all that is permissible as a practical matter and often only two guns are used), la problem of uniform deposition still remains. For instance, a reciprocating spray gun tends to form a chevron or W pattern on a sheet where the speed of the moving sheet or workpiece is relatively too fast for the linear speed .of the reciprocating spray gun.

It is, therefore, necessary .to reduce the rate o-f movement of the workpiece in reciprocating spray painting with a resulting l-oss of production; or to accelerate the reciprocation of the spray guns with resulting further problems of feeding paint to the guns, vibration, wear, etc. Further, in order to obtain a uniform paint lilrn '(to avoid a W pattern on the work) from `an oval spray pattern, it has been determined that the spray pattern should overl-ap that of a preceding str-oke by 50 percent and preferably 75 percent so that paint economy is not necessarily improved. With reciprocating spraying, then, the maximum conveyor speed for moving the workpiece and the gun spraying stroke are dependent upon the maximum reciprocating speed and the usable size of the spray pattern. Still further, in reciprocating spray painting, the continuous W pattern introduces complications in turning the guns on when the leading edge of a workpiece approaches and in turning the guns off when the trailing edge of the workpiece leaves.

3,184,328 Patented May 18, 1965 ICS In a further attempt to solve these problems of spraying paint, it was suggested to move a spray gun in .a rotary or circular path instead of by linear reciprocation. Again the rotary technique provides some -advantages over reciprocation in that the conveyor carrying the workpiece can 'be operated -at faster speeds and large spray guns are not required since the guns can follow each other yat relatively close intervals around the circumference of a Wheel. The guns can move in this manner at relatively fast speeds with relatively low revolutions per minute of the wheel.

However, .a rotary spray machine requires considerably Imore licor space and la longer booth. Another disadvantage is the difference in the coating thickness between the top and the bottom of the spraying stroke. This difference results by the change in `direction of the spray gun as it revolves with respect to the linear movement of the workpiece. More specifically, when the spray guns are moving in the same direction las the Workpiece, the spray guns remain on cam portion of the workpiece for a ylonger period than when the guns move oppositely -to the direction of workpiece movement. Consequently, there results a difference in Icoating thickness between the top and the bottom -of the rotary circular stroke.

Further, since the spray guns on a rotary spraying machine normally travel at faster speeds than the guns of a reciprocating machine, gun fan deflection and proper timing of the actual spray stroke become more of a problem. The rotary path of the spray guns entails considerably more -on-oi action of the guns as the leading or trailing edges Iof the workpiece (those perpendicular to the plane of rotation of the rotary stroke) approach or leave the iield of the rotary spray stroke. These problems become even more serious when three-dimensional spraying is attempted by rotary spraying means. For three-dimensional spraying all portions of the stroke must have spray guns available that spray Iat definite compound angles.

The present method and apparatus combine the straight strokes of a reciprocator and the frequent passes of the rot-ary spraying technique. A uniform deposition of paint is accomplished without reducing the rate of production and without excessive loss of paint as overspray. Desirably, scanning means for the workpiece can be used, if desired, in conjunction with the spraying apparatus to control the operation .of its paint-spraying guns.

It is, therefore, la principal object of the present invention to provide an improved method and apparatus for spraying paint.

Another object is to provide :a method :and apparatus for spraying a uniform deposition of paint Without excessive losses on a workpiece while in motion.

A further object is Ito provide a method and Iappanatus for spray painting a series of workpieces moving seria-tim which combine the straight strokes of a reciprocat-or .and the frequent passes of the rotary spraying technique.

A still further object is to provide ya method and appanatus as described in which operation of the paint spraying means may be actuated by scanning means which sense a workpiece before it reaches .the spraying apparatus.

Other objects will become .apparent as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the Iforegoing 'and rela-ted ends, the invention consists of the features ihereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and following disclosure describing in d-etail the invention, such drawing and disclosure il- .FIGURE v16V .is a section of fsegments.

ilustrating, however, but one or more of thevariousV ways in which the invention may be practiced.

VIn the accompanying drawings:

. :FIGURE 1 is -ap'l-an viewwith parts broken away of i two uni-ts for spray paintingyopposite sides of va Workpieee,.each unit embodying spira-yY `apparatus of the present invention; i'

sies-3e Y Y Yclosed path Vv.of travel forthev paint-spraying means that FIGURE z'is a from `view ef :FIGURE 1 with parts...

broken away for'purposes of illustration;

rFIGURES 3 and 4 are enlarged front and-side views,

respectively, Yof the paint spraying apparatus ,of FIGURE' ltaken, respectively, on the lines 3-3 and 4-'4;

FIGURESS, 6, and 7'are sections of FIGUREV 3 "on thermes 5*-5, 6 6, and 7 7,lrespective1y;, FIGURE 8 is anenlarged sectional View of the righthand portion `of FIGURE 7;

` FIGUREQis a section of FIGURE 8 on theline 94,-9;

FIGURE ,l0 is an enlarged plan view of one of the ledges or carriages shown i-n FIGURES 3 and 4, here i1- lustrated with an accompanying manifold; FIGURE- 1l is a side view of Vthe ledge of FIGURE 10;

' FIGURE 12 is aside View of a masterY manifold which isfsecured to one of the ledges as shown in FIGURE 10; FIGURES 13, 14 and 15, are sections of FIGURE 12.v

v FIGURE zorisa section'f FIGURE `19 ontej une -20; v Y Y.

FIGURE 21 is a sideview of acarriage of the apparatus V'FIGURE i6 but the two described linear segments are connected by arcs Vof kunequaldiameter, such linear segments being angled with respect to thel vertical in the direction of movement offthe workpiece. The Velect is to equate the spray gun speed and `stroke direction withthe speed and direction of Y theworkpiece (or conveyor), so that in traveling the' closed path, thespray gun has a 4component of movement along the direction in which the workpiece ymoves that 1s leq'ual'to the movement of the workpiece; Thus, even though a spray gun is busily traversing a closed path and moves transversely of the direction`VV of movement of a workpiece, relative movement betweenl the spray gun and Vthe workpieceinthe Vdirection vin vwhich the workpiece moves is canceled.V The workpiece is painted as though it were stationary. In this'embodiment ofthe invention, in which a spray lgungrmoves with the workpiece in its direction of movemenhthe angle atwhich the paint-,spraying means'traverses the direction Vofvmovemcnt ofthe' workpiece isless than 90",. Y s p ReferringV to FIGURES 1 and 2,since all exposed surfacesandedges (inthree-dimensional spraying) must be covered, the workpiece is carried by an overhead conveyor of Vstandard 'constructioiuin the direction of arrows 25 through spray booths A `and B. In booth A, one side or Vface'of la `workpiece and nearest peripheraledgesare sprayed, and in'bdoth B the reverse side and peripheral edges are sprayed. The booths maycomprise housings Y constructed lfrom sheet metal. andv provided with ducts 26 for ezrhaustinggfumes. Spraying apparatus of the presenty invention generally-indicated at 27 is positioned ineach booth'on opposite sides to spray across the vconyevor path.

. vIf, desired a water curtain may bef provided as` understood in the art'on the far side of each booth 'to catch any. vover- (spray, The water and collectedoverspray accumulate in a sump onthe filoorof, eachbooth. Suitable pumps `28 of FIGURE 19 showing a side connection for the carrier.

to a driving link chain;

4FIGURE 2 2 is a schematic circuitV .diagram showing how the scanner device controls thev operation of spray 'guns through therecordation'of electrical impulses.

. VGENERAL DESCRIPTION In accordance VYwithVV the present Yinvention,V the paintV 4spraying means is moved in a closed path having at leastV one linear segment which extends transversely of the direction in which a workpiece is moving. -When'several spray guns are moved seriatim in Vsuch a closed path, there Vis produced a continuous series of parallel, upstroke passes (assuming the workpiece moves in a horizontal direction)Y .anda continuous series'of parallel downstroke Vpassies `that and pipesv 219.', c'irculate the water toprovide the water-curftain. Also if desired, as 'hereinafter more fully described',

scanning'means -can'beu'sed'to sensethe kapproach of a 'workpiece toward they booths A and'Bv. for the purpose of controlling the, timingkof'the paint-spraying means. Such la scanner is positionedbefoiefthe spraybooths, that is, to

Y the right Vof the boothsas viewed in FIGURE 1.

Y s v sPRAYnIG ArinsRAT,UsL Y c FIGURES 3 to 18` illustrate the structure of one embodiment ofthe l spraying.apparatus 4andjof certainV of its com- Y ponent parts. For convenience vof'r'eference, the description of this form of the-spraying apparatus issectionalzed and c'onsistsroffzthe ba'sicstructure of the apparatus which transverses thedescribed clos'edrpathyth'e carriers or platu forms and Vvaccompanying manifolds carried through this ,are closely spaced Ytogether on the workpiecel as ,it Vis moved by a conveyor past the paint sprayingmeans. DeL-2,

sirably, the .closed path has two of, such linear segments opposed to each other; Oneimmediate advantage of this arrangement, particularly forthree-dirnensional spraying, Vis that in this motion, a ,Spray gun facing the direction of movement of the workpiece while traversing the iirst of such linear segments also faces the direction of motion of 'the workpiecewhen traversing the second of Vsuch linear i' Consequently, the kverticalangles, the volume V eecting the travel of the paint-spraying means in a path; and the provision yof .utilities through the'manifolds. Y Y Clrois'rerd'pqtlvl,constructionE i Referring Ato FIGURES'S through 6, the structure for closed pathy includes apair'of support'plates 30 and 31 yheld iny spaced apart-relation Aby flat beams 32 'and 33.

-I-beams 34 `are'bolted to Vplate 31 andv support the entire assembly overa suitable 'foundation generally indicated at 35.y pair of sprockts and 37 are journaled for rotaofpaint, the air pressure, and other'prarameters can be adi gjusted; for the best settings for both spray gun positions and then left unchanged as long as there is no change in conveyor speed. Y l. Y n y -V The two linear segments of the closed path for the paint spraying means may be parallel, In this case, the two llineary segments may'be connectedas by arcs ofl substan-` tially equal radius. With this construction there results a Ycontinuous seriesV of parallelA upstrokepasses andl aircontinuous series of parallel downstroke passes-for the guns.

It is also possible to have all the passes of actual paint deposition on.afwor'kpiece parallel vto each other whether deposited on an upstroke orYV on a `downstroke. rl`his is "accomplished in the present invention by so arranging the ytionrbetween VplatesA ,30..and 31 on a shaft 38 near theA bottom ofthey apparatus.l Similarly a pair of vsprockets 39 ,and' ofV smallerdiameter are journaled on .ashaftf41 carriedin bearings 42 near the top of the apparatus.

Double-stranded link chains 43 are trained; about a sprocket of each pair lying in the same vertical plane. kAn electricalrmotor 44 carried'on a suitable platform 45 drives the shaft'38 of the lower lsprockets by a chain and gear ,assembly indicated Vat 46. v'Knownmeans may be used to insure that the motor-45 drives the sprockets 36 and 37 at a substantially constant rate.

The chains 43 drivefcarriers 47jwhich are spaced therealong. VVEach carrier vcomprises a ledgey or platformA portion 48,'hereinafterdescribed lmore fully, bolted over a riding section 49 from which extend a pair of vanes Sil to define a yoke. As shown particularly in FIGURE ll the yoke embraces Within its slot an inward extension of pins 51 used to connect links of the chains 43. In this manner the chains 43 pull the carriers 47 along, the slot of the yoke accommodating any lateral movement of the carrier with respect to the chains.

The riding section 49 of each carrier has rollers S2 which travel in raceways in the plates 3i) and 31 and thereby bear most of the weight of the carrier. Side rollers 52a also facilitate travel. in the embodiment illustrated, the raceways are formed by bolting strips 53 (FIGURES 5 and 6) on facing sides of the plates 30 and 31 so as to define between such strips a groove or raceway which receives the rollers 52. Such strips are curved adjacent the upper and lower sprockets so as to provide semi-circular raceways or grooves and thereby form a continuous track on each plate which permits the carriers 47 to follow the chains 43 in transversing a closed path about the upper and lower sprockets in the direction of arrows 54 and 55. As shown in FIGURE 3, this path consists of two opposite linear segments joined by arcs of different radii, the arcs being circumferential portions of the sprockets. If desired, the larger sprockets 36 and 37 may be placed at the top with the smaller sprockets 39 and 40 at the bottom. In this case, the chains 43 move in a direction opposite to that of the arrows 54 and S5.

Carrier and manifold construction FIGURES to 17 illustrate'the platform construc- .tion of a carrier 48 and the construction of the manifolds,

particularly the master manifold. Each carrier 4S includes a platform section 56 terminating in opposed sleeve portions 56a in which set screws 57 support an arm 58. A spray gun 59 of conventional design is fixed adjacent the end of an arm 58. Only one arm and gun are normally used on each platform section 56 for three dimensional spraying. It is preferred to have the spray guns on alternating pairs of adjacent carriers point toward the center line of the carrier and toward each other as gun 59 points in FIGURE l0, so that the sprays of such adjacent guns are always the same distance apart. Each platform section 56 has two end sleeve portions 56a to enable the carrier of that section to be paired with either adjacent carrier as desired. It will be noted that in this case, as the guns travel the closed path of FIGURE 3, each gun of a pair alternately points up and then down while maintaining the same relationship with respect to each other. In the reciprocator, a compromise is necessary because a ,gun pointing upwardly and traveling upwardly may be pointing in the direction of movement of a workpiece, but on the downstroke of such a gun it will be pointing away from the direction of motion of the workpiece.

An L-shaped bracket 60 bolted to the platform sec* tion 56 carries a manifold block 61 at one end. Except for the master manifold, hereinafter described, each manifold 61 is of the same construction and consists of openings extending through each block 61, each of such openings having a further communicating side opening to form a plurality of side-by-side T connections. Each T connection provides a certain utility needed to operate the spray gun 59. The T connections of each manifold block 61 are serially connected by a flexible hose 62, which may be made of nylon, to a matching T connection of the next manifold block 61 of the succeeding carrier 4S, these connections being repeated from manifold-tomanifold about the closed path. As illustrated in FIG- URE 1l, the bracket 6) is of sutlicient length to place the manifold block 61 opposite the chains 43, so that the hoses 62 attached to the manifolds make the same movement as the chains 43 in transversing the closed path.

Referring particularly to FIGURES l0 and l1, T connection 61a furnishes air, as indicated by the dot-dash lines, through an air pressure regulator 63 on the platform section 56 to an inlet line 64 on the spray gun 59. This air is used to atomize the paint supplied to gun 59 and is discharged into the atmosphere. T connection 611: furnishes air also, this air passing through an electrically operated solenoid 65 on the platform section and then into an inlet line 66 on the spray gun 59. This air is used to open outlet valve of the gun 59 and allow the paint and atomizing air to be discharged from the nozzle of the gun. T connection 61C advances fluid paint to a regulator 67 on the platform section 56 through inlet 67a. Regulator 67 controls the volume and pressure of the paint fed to an inlet line 68 on the gun 59. It is desirable to keep the paint in a state of steady circulation to prevent settling and the like. Accordingly, if the paint is not being advanced to the inlet line 68, the paint passes through outlet 67b to T connection 61d in the manifold block 6l and then passes to the next manifold as described. T connection 616 carries an electrical conduit 69 which passes through an explosion-proof box 70 for connection to the solenoid 65. Operation of the solenoid 65 in response to electrical signals or impulses applied thereto passes air to the gun 59 through inlet 66 to 0perate the gun and produce a paint spray pattern. The conduit 69 contains an individual wire for each solenoid on the carriages which conducts the electrical impulses to operate that solenoid. Conduit 69 further contains a common return wire connected in parallel to the solenoids.

Although the various utilities above described can be so passed from manifold-to-manifold, it is, of course, necessary to provide some juncture at which the utilities are initially provi-ded and, if desired, recovered. This is accomplished by a master oscillating manifold illustrated particularly by FIGURES l2 to 17. The master manifold is attached to a bracket arm 60 and serves the same functions as the other manifolds 61 but, in addition, contains means for initial reception of the utilities. In brief, except for the electrical conduit, the master manifold M61 has a four-way connection corresponding to each of the T connections 61a, 61h, 61C, and 61d, and each of such master four-way connections is serviced by a pivotally mounted oscillating bar through which the utility is initially fed.

For example, the master manifold (FIGURE 12) includes a pair of terminal blocks 71 and 72 held in spaced apart relation by a strip 73 bolted thereto. Block 71 is bolted to a bracket 60 and together with block 72 carries a shaft 74 threaded at its opposite ends to engage a threaded opening in block 71 and a nut 75 which bears against block 72. Block 71 also has an opening 76 to pass the master electrical conduit M69 to an explosion box 70 carried on the bracket 60 connected to the master manifold M61. The electrical conduit leaves this box and travels to the next manifold to be there connected as shown in FIGURE 10.

Between the blocks 71 and '72 are four bars 77, 78, 79 and Si), of identical construction, which are pivotally carried on the shaft 74- for oscillation thereabout. Associated with these bars are four-way connectors 81 and 82, of identical construction, and four-way connectors S3 and Sii of identical construction which are somewhat different internally as compared to the internal construction of connectors 81 and 82. These four-way connectors are also carried on the shaft 74 but extend a tting to one of their four ports through the strip '73 and therefore are not free to turn about the shaft 74.

The bars and four-way connectors just described are alternated along the shaft 74 so as to be paired together and form a cooperating unit. Washers 85 are spaced on either side of each of the oscillating bars to facilitate their pivotal movement. Each of the oscillating bars 77, 78, '79, and Si) (FIGURE 14) has an opening at one end to freely contain the shaft 74 and an L-shaped passage 86 at the other end formed by boring into the bar i ,Y ehem-32e at its free end and again along its side to meetfthe lirsrt bore. Each of the resultingopenings is enlarged toire.-

ceive nipples 87 and 83, A welded therin, over which a exible hose is litted. The oscillating bars 77, 78, 79,.

and 80 provide an anchoring point for the supplyV of utilities to the master manifold M61` and, in turn, receive the utilities from a rotaryY union hereinafter described.

Each of the four-way connectors 81 and 82 (FIGURES yand 16) comprises an annular chamber 89 that receives the shaft 74 through its central openingV 90. Each' chamber v89, constructed from` a ring wall 91 and ilat sides 92, has four bored openings to receivev tubular A tubular shaft 1037is mounted yfor rotation between plates and 31 of theapparatusapproximately midway between they upperY and lowerV sprockets. drives'the shaft 103by a sprocket-'104`and a sprocket 105 Vori shaft 38 through 'a connecting chain 106. Shaft103 Motor 44 also rotates ata slower ratethan shaft 38. Forexample,

shaft 103 mayrotate once as la carriage 47 makes one complete loop aboutthe opposed sets of sprockets.-

Shaft 103 terminates to the right of plate 30, as viewed Y in FIGURES 7 and 8, in a housing 107. The master electrical conduit M69 Vextends from an electrical rotary slip ring of conventional design (not shown) through the tubular Vshaft `103 and leaves laterally 'of Ithe housing 107 fittings which arewelded therein. `Nipples 93 and 94 Vare opposed to each-other, nipple 93 extendingV through the strip 73.` Nipples 95 and 96 are substantially'parallel,

nipple 95 'communicating with the chamber 89 through an insert 97 having an L-shaped passage y92%? formed simi:

through an insert 108. Bolts l109 secure a rotary union 'to the housing108 which includes an'annular section 110 having three separate passages. An annular cavity 111 Vin section 110 has aV sideopening 112 in which an'elbow larly to the passage 85 in the oscillating bar 77. Suitable f nipples.' V

The four-way connectors 83 and S4 (FIGURESjlB and flexible hoses generally shown at62 t over all yof the 17) are similar in general construction and Vpurpose Vto f the four-way connectors 81 and $2 except that thef-former have annular chambers of rounded, `corner-freeinteriors. Since the connectors'83f and 84 pass uid paint,

their interiors are designedl to preventthe build-up of` settlings in corners and the like which could occur in the 17,'of twoannular sections 99 and 100 welded together. These sections have aligned matching grooves of curved sides so asto form a corner-free cavityor chamberV 101,.

fittingV 113 is Vweldedand further communicates through aradially extending bore 114in whi ch an additional elbow fitting115 is secured. A'central tubular formation 116 of section 110 terminates' in a bearing collar 117' which screws into the formation 116. AV further tube 118, concentric ywith the tubular formation 116 and bear- `ingcollar'117, so seatsat the inward end of the formation V116 kasV to isolate the area within the tube 118 from the annularareaV between that tube and the formation 116.

connector ,of FIGURE 16. Accordingly, fourway connectors S3 and 34 areV constructed, as shown in FIGURE Connectors 83 and S4 ride the shaft 74 through 'their cen?V Y tral openings 102 and have four nipples welded to their curved peripheries in a manner identical to thatV described y for the connectors 81 and 82,V

In practice, bar 77 receives air nipple 87, passes the air out nipple 8? throughraloop of the flexible hose 62 and then into Ychamber 89jV From this chamber *part of the airpasses through the insert 97 `and nipple' 95 to the air pressure regulatorV 63 on the platunder pressure through 'form section 56 of the carrier associated with the master manifold M61.l The remaining air passes outboth nip'- Y ples 93- and 94 to the T V connections 61a of the other manifolds. This air pressure'is usedto operate the sole-- noids and the air is then discharged to the atmosphere.

The operation of the four-Way connectors S2- and 83 the carrier associated with the master manifold' and to the T connections 61h of the other manifolds'. This'air presfl Ysure atomizes the paint discharge from' gun 59 when the is the same as Vthat described for connector 81.` Connech, Y

tor 32 furnishes air under pressure to the solenoid 65 on so"Y solenoid 65 is open, the air being released to the atmo'f 67 on the carrier associated with themaster manifold and to the T connections 61C .of the other manifolds.- The four-way connector 84 of the master manifold or to the Connector S3 furnishes paint ito the'regulator'.

'paint which by-passes theV regulators 67, returns tothe V v'1' connections 61d and then to thek four-way. eonnector 84. Since this connector is the paint return, the direction of movement within thispart is opposite kv'to thatillu'strated by FIGURE 14; namely, throughV nipplescorresponding to 93, 94 and 95 and then through nipples 95, SS, bore 86 and nipple' 37fto thelrotary union.l Y Y V Since" the'chains 43 are continuously moving Athe carriers 47 and manifolds M61 and 61 yand connecting exible hoses 62 along the described closedpath formed bythe opposed sets of sprockets, itis diflicult to provide utilities continuously. to the master Vmanifold without accounting for this motion. One manner of overcoming this problem is by a rotary unionand drum illustrated by FIGURES 4, 7, 8, 9, and 18. i' f A radially extending bore 119 connects tube 118 with an elbow ,fitting 120, and a radially extending bore 121 connects the annular area about thetube 118 with a still further 'elbow ,tting 122. f

The parts ofthe V*rotary unionV describedv soy far rotate with theV shaft 103.` The stationary iparts include aretainer cup 123 and a hub 124. The' cap 123 has O-rings V125 to permit sliding engagement with an annular projection V126 and the Vtubular formation 116. A relatively large, rigidly held pipe 127 holds lthe cap 123 against rotation andconnectswith its interior as illustrated. The hub 124has a bearing tip'128 which slidably engages the bearing collar 117 of the'tubular formation 116. The

v hub 124also provides a seat tightly to receive the tube 11S and-'thereby isolate the ar'ea` within 4the tube from Ythe outside annular area in thehub, much as the tube s'seated at'its other end lwithin thetubular section 110. Radially disposednipples 129 and 130 on ythe hubV communicate, 'respectively,lwith'the tubev 118 and the annular 'area between'this tube' and the hub 124. v These nipples Valso'serve to hold the hub against rotation.

In ypractice, airis fed under pressure through thepipe V127, retainer cap 123,' andy the annular area 111;k Part of the air exits through the boreV 112 and Ynipple 113, while the remaining air leaves -through bore v114 and fitting 115. A flexible hose i621 connects ttingi113 with the oscillating bar 77 ofthe master' cylinder, and asimilar flexible hose connects iitting115 with the' oscilla'tingbar"78.` Paint is forced 'through nipple 129 of the hub,V through tube 118 and radial bore 119 out elbow tting 120 which, in turn,

. is connected by a hose to the oscillating bar/79 of the mas- Vlin a'90 section :of thedrum 131, the radius is gradually reduced to form a slotted opening133 through which the two hoses conducting air'and the ,two hoses .conducting paint aswell asithe master electrical conduit pass fromA 'the inside and outside of the Vdrum 131.

conduitV are then coiled yaround the drum several loopsV 'before going to the master manifold as described. A Hat The hoses and 9 spring 134 is coiled between the shaft 103 and the drum 131 like a watch spring. One end of the spring is fastened to la pin 135 -on a ilange of a bushing, and the other end of the spring is fastened to a pin 136 on the back plate of the drum 131.

Scanning device It is possible to operate the spray guns S9 by manual means as the carriages move through the described paths. One need merely supply electrical current through the means described to the solenoids 65 at desired times in order to elect a paint spray. However, it is preferred to use a scanning device which automatically controls the moment and duration of the period for operating such guns. One technique is to scan or detect a workpiece as it approaches the paint spraying apparatus, particularly its general outline, electrically record the detections as impulses on a tape, aud then use the recorded detections to operate the spray guns. It is possible to use stationary detectors or scanners, as illustrated in FIGURES 19 to 21 and by the schematic diagram of FIGURE 22.

Referring to these figures, the scanner may comprise a panel 137 providing a source of light and a panel 13S carrying a plurality of light-sensitive or beam-sensitive devices. The panel 137 supports a series of lights such as fluorescent tubes 139 which are conventionally energized by electrical leads 140 and may for this purpose be connected in parallel.

4Panel 138 carries photoelectric cells 141 as the lightsensitive device. Means sensitive to infrared waves, radio active, or radio waves could be used instead. In the embodiment illustrated, the panel 138 has a plurality of receptacles into which photoelectric or photocells 141 are secured. Each photocell has a light-sensitive bridge r patch 14111 usually maintained in an evacuated envelope, which is connected in parallel as by conductors 142 and 143 to a commonly applied electromotive force. The conductors are suitably insulated from each other and from the conductors of companion photocells, although the conductors may be grouped together if desired for convenience in a large exible conduit. The photoelectric cells may be of the photoemissive, photo-voltaic, or photoconductive types, suitable amplifying means being employed where needed in a manner known in the art. Photoconductive cells have been found particularly suited for the described purpose. Such cells may contain selenium, cadmium sulde, thallous sulfide, lead sulfide, or silicon as the light-sensitive means.

A circuit for operating a spray gun in response to the detections of a scanner of FIGURES 19 to 21 may be of the type illustrated by FIGURE 22. One manner of recording electrical signals on a tape and using a pick oli head to operate a battery of spray guns in accordance with the recorded signals is described in U.S. Patent No. 2,754,795 which is hereby incorporated by reference. Alternatively, the system of U.S. Patent No. 2,565,655, which is also hereby incorporated by reference, may be employed. In this case, a detector moves with or as a function ofthe movement of a spray gun carrier. The signals established by the detector are applied to a moving strip of tape in the form of perforations. The perforations are later used to energize a system controlling the tiring of spray guns.

Reverting to the electrically recorded tape system, which is preferred, and to the diagrammatic circuit of FIGURE 22, the scanner S precedes spray booths A and B with respect to the path of travel of `a workpiece as indicated by the arrow 155. A bank of lights 156, which may correspond to the series of vertically disposed uorescent tubes as shown on panel 137, is placed opposite a photosensitivep'late 157 which may be the panel 138 of FIG- URES 19 to 21. In the absence of a workpiece, the light impinges on the cells of the plate 157 to complete a rcircuit and record a signal through line 153 and a vrecording amplifier 159 on a tape 160 by means of a recording bead 161. In this case, when a workpiece interrupts the light vfrom the bank 156, no signal is recorded on the tape for a time depending upon the size and general outline of the workpiece. By this arrangement, the lack of a recorded signal causes the spray guns to operate. The reverse system can also be used; that is, interruption of the light completes la circuit to record a signal which is then used to operate a spray gun.

In either event, a driven sprocket 162 and an idler sprocket 163, 'about which the tape 160 is trained, moves the tape in the direction of arrow 160er. The speed of the tape is such that it reaches pick-ofi heads 161 and 165 just as the workpiece reaches spray booth A and B, respectively. IIhe pick-oil heads are energized by a lack of recorded signal (or, conversely, by a recorded signal as mentioned) in a manner known in the art to pass electrical impulses through lines 166 and 167 containing amplilers 168 and 169, slip ring distributors 170 (because of the continuous circular movement of the chains 43) and then to solenoids 65 which open to pass pressurized air and thereby operate spray guns 59 as previously described. The slip ring distributors may be placed on the left-hand end of shaft .103 as viewed in FIGURE 7. Before passing the recording head 161 again, the tape passes an eraser head 171 which removes the previously recorded signals.

OVERALL OPERATION After the speed of the overhead conveyor or workpiece which the conveyor carries and the -speed of the guns 59 have been synchronized so as to provide the desired component of movement for the guns in -a direction parallel-ing the direct-ion of the workpiece, there is no need for further adjustment. As the workpiece approaches the spray booths A and B, the scanner S detects its passage and interrupts the recording of a signal on the tape 160 .in accordance with the length and general outline of the workpiece.

Meanwhile, the chains 43 are continuously traveling about the opposed set of upper land lower sprockets. The utilities including air, paint feed, paint return, and electrical energy are simultaneously supplied to their individual circuits being continuously advanced, except :for the paint return, from the rotary union or distributor, which acts like a reservoir for the utilities, to the master manifold M61 and then serially to the Isubsidiary manifolds spaced about the chains 43. During this time, the drum 131 and shaft 103 have an oscillating-rotating motion. As the master manifold M61 moves about the described closed path, the distance bet-Ween it and the rotary union alternatively decreases and increases (from about 2 inches to about 48 inches twice per revolution in one installation). Due to the drum spring 134 maintaining the hoses 62 in a taut condition, the drum 131 is continually oscillating, thereby winding and unwinding the hose. In addition to this oscillating rnotion, the drum 131 lalso revolves once as the master manifold rnakes one revolution through the closed path. The drum actually revolves with the chains 43 about one revolution and then unwinds about one-half a revolution per cycle. In this manner, the hoses Kor tubing 62 have a self-storing action.- In one embodiment, the eiective length of the hoses increased vefold and returned to its original length twice during one trip of the master manifold around the closed path.

The tape reaches the pick-off heads 164 and 165 as the workpiece reaches the booths A and B, respectively, so that the guns 59 are operated only during the time some portion of the workpiece is within the discharge path of the guns. In this manner, first one side and then the reverse side of the workpiece are spray painted. Preferably the guns 59 are shut olf as they round the arcs of unequal radii defined by the upper and lower sprockets in order to reduce overspray. By making the spray guns, Whetheradvancing upordown, are able toi advance horizontally at theV Isamerate as the conveyor moves horizontally. Whether sprockets of equal or uri-uV equal diameter are used, a spray gun kcan begin spraying 75 guns, forwarding such utilities from gun-to-gun along the at the bottom and spray -a leading edge of a rectangular workpiece allthe way to the top and conversely on the return or downstroke'. t

In one specilic embodiment, the upper ysprockets 39 10V direction of travel comprising moving a plurality of yspray and`40 had a radius -of 6 inches, and the lower'sprockets 36 and 37 had a radius of l2 inches. The centers of the opposed sets of :sprocketswere vspaced vertically apart` 80.257-inches leaving linearjsegments of'SO inches on the opposed converging sides of the defined path. 'The chains Y were driven at a speed of 40 inches per V,second which imparted a component of movement for the spray guns of 3 inches per second inafdirection paralleling VtheV direction in which the workpiece moved.

' AIncomparison with a reciprocator, the motion pro'-,V vided by the present method and Vapparatus koffersV the,

following advantages:

A(1) Many more gunrcarriagescan'bewused-instead 'of one, ,eight beingillustrated Vin the present embodiment. (2) Gun. speed can ib'e considerably increased ,because there is no stopping and reversing of the guns at thetop and 'bottom cfa stroke. i Y t (3) On vertically (las well as horizontallyfrnounted machines, the speed is uniformgon both the upst-roke and Y down-stroke. Y t Y Y f (4) VWith multiple guns, there is negligiblea-ir interference from one gun to the next.

(5) The conveyor speed `and thestroke speedfoan eachV be materially increased;

(8) Moreuniform coatingsk can be obtained,-with less` concern about; accurate gunrspray adjustments, because of more frequent passesand greater Overlapping possibilities.

" (9) In three-dimensional' spraying (face andfsides)A the more frequentpasses possible' with the presentinventionresult ina much-better coverage of the edges as the spraying angle hitting the Vedges strikes them Iat a much more deinite angle. Y l Y (l0) Electrical signals Vto 'operate the spray guns (both on and ot) caribe individually controlled Von .both the downstroke and on the upstroke, so lthat the spray gunsi operate at desired times and for desired intervals, thereby minimizing overspraynlosses. Y Y ,Y

The vpresent. methodgand apparatus, provides Vthel following advantages over a `strictly rotary(circular) motionz (1) Thereis no diderence 'in coating thicknesses ybetween the top and bottom portions of the stroke.

(2) When a strictly'circular stroke Iis'used,"itfmust follow a small radius jto lprovide proper overlapping orY additional overspray occurs on the vertical portions of the stroke. V

(3) The present closed path of gun movement avoids;

additional,Y on-oif action vof gunsV which is necessary in a strictly circular path to spray leading vertical edges. j

(4) The spraying of three-dimensional worky isjconsiderably improvedbecause the gunsV do not strictlytfollow the circumferential4 motion of Va"supporting wheel.

Other forms embodying thefeatur'es oftheinvention may be employed, change :being made as vregards theV features herein disclosed, provided those stated by anyY of the following claims or the Vequivalent of suchV features be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claimt Y as our invention:

lfA'method of spray painting a workpiece moving in i i a predetermined'direction of travel 'comprising moving Y fsprayV guns ,transversely of such direction and in a closed y f"path,ftraversing Vthe spray gunsalongsuch closed path,

furnishing paint, air and like utilities 'toi one of the spray closed path Vof movement, andrecovering from such one gun any unused utility. f y t 2.' A method of spray painting a workpiece having a substantially planarsurface moving inl a predetermined guns seriatim'transversely'of such direction and in a closed 'V'subs'tantially parallel to `gsuch Vplantar surface, traversing such spray guns along such closed path at a rate suicient V to provide a component of/movement for the sprayguns Y Y VinY suchdirection which is substantially equal to the cornkponent of movement, :of the workpiecein' such direction, providing within suchy closed'lpatha reservoir of utilities 'forrsuch" spray gunsincluding air, paint, and the like, furnishing such utilities. from the Y{reservoir to one of the along the closed path of movement. A

Y spray guns, andtforwarding" such utilities from gun-to-gun directionrof travel comprising detecting the passageof a workpiece along suchpath, simultaneously moving spray Vguns transversely of such direction andy in a closed( nonintersecting y'path having opposed spaced-apart-linear segments contained, in a planesubstantially parallel to such Vplanar'surfac'e'and convergingv toward one Vside of such predetermined direction, traversing the spray 'guns' along Vsuchvclosed path at alratersufcient to provide a component ofrnovement for the spray guns in such direction `which issubstantially equal ,torthefcomponent ofmove-V ment of the workpiece in such V predetermined direction and thereby cancel relativemovement between the workpiece and spray gunsV iriirsuch predetermined direction of travel when traversing suchlinear segments, furnishingy bpaint, air,,andV like utilities'to one ofgthe y*spray guns,

40 forwarding Asuch utilities from gunt-to-g'un'along the closed path of movement, 4operating.the'spray guns in accordance lwith such detections as the workpiece reaches such guns, and recovering any unusedVr Ipaint utility from such vone spray gun. Y.

i5l Y4. Paint spraying apparatus including sprockets of un- VVeqlualrdiarnreter mounted for rotation in spaced apart relation inV substantiallyithe same plane, a chain traineduavbout sprocketsderning Va closed 'non-intersecting'path of i travel, meansto drive one of the sprockets at as ubst'an- 5,0V tially constant rate, a plurality of support carriages` spaced falong Vand carriedV by said chain, a spray, gun oneach support carriage, a` master manifold carried by one of said carriages, subsidiary manifolds serially connected to` the master manifold and carried by theremaining support carriages, means to supply utilities including air and paint separately to the mastermanifolimeans to transmit said` utilities 'from manifoldeto-manifold, and means'on each support carriage to operate the spray'gunv thereonfrom such utilities supplied' to .fthe manifold of that support 60 carriage.

l kr5. Paintfsprayin'g apparatus including' sprockets of unequal diameter'rnounted for rotation in vspaced apart relation within substantially the same plane, a chain trained about said sprockets, means to 'dry one of the sprockets VVK Vat. asubstantially constant rate, aV plurality of support v ing allsaid manifolds, feed and return conduits connected Ito the master'manifoldto supply'thereto utilities including air and paint and thusserially to-the subsidiary manifolds also through saidrconduit means, a drum mounted for rotation between saidffspaced'apart sprockets to receive andl pay out the feed and. return conduits during travel of path .having opposed linear segments contained in aplane said chain, and means on each support carriage to operate the spray gun thereon from such utilities supplied to the manifold of that support carriage.

6. Paint spraying apparatus including sprockets of unequal diameter mounted for rotation in spaced apart relation within substantially the same plane, a chain trained about said sprockets, means to drive one of the sprockets at a substantially constant rate, a plurality of support carriages spaced along and carried by said chain, a spray gun on each support carriage, a master manifold carried by one of said carriages, subsidiary manifolds on the remaining support carriages, distributor means mounted between said spaced apart sprockets and within the path described by said chain to receive air and paint and to provide a paint return, flexible hoses connecting said distributor means with the master manifold to feed the air and paint thereto and receive the paint return, a drum adapted for rotation supported about the distributor to receive and pay out the feed and return iiexible hoses during travel of said chain about said spaced apart sprockets, additional iiexible hoses serially connecting all of said manifolds to circulate the air and paint from the master manifold to the other manifolds and to return the paint back to the master manifold, and means on each support carriage to operate the spray gun carried thereby at selected times from such air and paint supplied to the manifold of that support carriage.

7. Paint spraying apparatus including a pair of spaced apart upstanding support plates, sprockets of unequal diameter mounted between the plates in spaced apart relation for rotation, a chain trained about said Sprockets, means to drive one of said sprockets at a substantially constant rate, said support plates having matching grooves defining tracks, a plurality of support carriages having me-ans to ride in said tracks and being attached to and spaced along said chain, a spray gun on each support carriage angled toward a spray gun of an adjacent support carriage, a master manifold carried by one support carriage and subsidiary manifolds Ion the remaining support carriages, distributor means mounted on one of said plates between said spaced apart sprockets to receive utilities including air, paint, and an electrical conduit, exible hoses connecting said distributor means with the master manifold to supply such air and paint thereto, said electrical conduit also extending to the master manifold, an additional hose joining the master manifold and distributor means to define a paint return line, a drum having a peripheral slot carried about the distributor means to receive said iiexible hoses and electrical conduit through said slot for Winding thereabrout prior to connection with said master manifold, said drum being freely rotatable about said distributor means to receive and pay out the exible hoses and electrical conduit as required during travel of said chain about said sprockets, additional flexible hoses and electrical conduit serially connecting all of said manifolds t=o forward the air, paint, and electrical energy, respectively, to the other manifolds, means to return unused paint back to the master manifold, and means on each support carriage to operate the spray guns carried thereby at selected times from such utilities supplied to the manifold of that support carriage.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 further including means to rotate said drum at a rate suiiiciently less than the rate of travel of said chain to maintain the hoses and electrical conduit extending from the drum in a substantially taut condition.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 further including a coil spring connecting said drum and said distributor means to assist in maintaining the hoses and electrical conduit in a substantially taut condition.

10. Paint spraying apparatus including sprocket means mounted for rotation in spaced apart relation in substantially the same plane, a chain member trained about said sprocket means defining a closed non-intersecting path of travel, means to drive one of the sprocket means at a substantially constant rate, a plurality of support carriages spaced along land carried by said chain, a spray gun on each support carriage, a master manifold carried by one of said carriages, subsidiary manifolds serially connected to the master manifold :and carried by other support carriages, means to supply utilities including air and paint to the master manifold, means to transmit said utilities from manifold-to-manifold, and means on each support carriage to operate the spray gun thereon from such utilities supplied to the manifold of that support carriage.

11. Paint spraying apparatus including a chain member mounted to move in the direction of its length in a closed non-intersecting path of travel, a plurality of paint spraying means spaced along and carried by said chain member, hose means tio connect one of said paint spraying means to a stationary supply of utilities, additional hose means to connect said one spraying means to a next spraying means along the chain member and from that spraying means to each succeeding spraying means serially.

12. Paint spraying apparatus including a closed chain member mounted to move in the direction of its length in a closed non-intersecting path of travel, a plurality of paint spraying means spaced along and carried by said chain member, a stationary supply of utilities including paint and air stationed substantially Within the extremities defined by said closed path of travel, hose means connecting said stationary supply only to one of said paint spraying means, additional hose means serially connecting said one paint spraying means to a next plaint spraying means carried by the chain member and from that paint spraying means to each succeeding paint spraying means to supply the utilities thereto and finally black to said one paint spraying means, and means to recover any unused utility returned to said one paint spraying means, Whereby the chain member can travel its defined path Without intertangling said different hose means.

13. The paint spraying apparatus of claim 12 wherein said stationary supply of utilities includes a drum mounted for rotation and adapted during travel of the chain member along its defined path to pay out and receive said hose means connecting said stationary supply and said one palnt spraying means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,929,896 10/ 33 Merritt et al 118-323 2,293,881 8/42 Bailey 118-323 2,488,519 11/49 Andrews et al 118-6 2,565,655 8/51 Girando 118-7 2,588,125 3/52 Knowland et al. 117-104 2,754,795 7/56 Eussle 118-2 2,925,801 2/ 60 Bivens et al 11S-323 3,008,648 11/61 Brady et al 118-323 3,039,429 6/62 Mains 118-109 RICHARD D. NEVIUS, Primary Examiner. 

1. A METHOD OF SPRAY PAINTING A WORKPIECE MOVING IN A PREDETERMINED DIRECTION OF TRAVEL COMPRISING MOVING SPRAY GUNS TRANSVERSELY OF SUCH DIRECTION AND IN A CLOSED PATH, TRAVERSING THE SPRAY GUNS ALONG SUCH CLOSED PATH, FURNISHING PAINT, AIR AND LIKE UTILITIES TO ONE OF THE SPRAY GUNS, FORWARDING SUCH UTILITIES FROM GUN-TO-GUN ALONG THE CLOSED PATH OF MOVEMENT, AND RECOVERING FROM SUCH ONE GUN ANY UNUSED UTILITY. 